Our Quality Standard

Our Commitment to Quality Standards

Empower your decisions with AQL-Standard. Our inspectors use ISO 2859 tables for precise product evaluation. Trust our method.

  • Sample sizes drawn from the ISO 2859 and ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 tables
  • Defects classified as critical, major and minor
  • A clear accept-or-reject recommendation on every report
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AQL - Acceptable Quality Level

The Inspection Company Ltd. works according to the international quality standards (AQL), norms, and regulations. This allows customers to understand each report quickly and easily.

The AQL-Standard provides a basis for the clients to decide on how they will proceed. Our inspectors work with the ISO 2859 tables and evaluate the AQL of the inspected product. The ISO 2859 refers to a U.S. standard with equivalents in the national and international standard-setting body (ANSI /ASQC Z 1.4, ISO 2859, NF06 -022, BS 6001, DIN 40080). We use the proven method of Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) to conduct product inspection ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008 and MIL-STD 105E Standard for sampling.

The acceptance quality level (AQL) is internationally defined as the maximum defective percentage (or the maximum number of defects per hundred units) that, for the purpose of sampling inspection, can be considered satisfactorily as a process average.

We will select a sampling size quantity (according to the AQL tables), and give you a recommendation according to the number of defects found (critical, major, minor defects). The result will show if you would rather accept or reject the shipment.

  • ANSI/ASQC Z 1.4
  • ISO 2859
  • NF06-022
  • BS 6001
  • DIN 40080
  • MIL-STD 105E
TIC ISO 2859 sampling standard

How to Read the AQL Table?

Reading the AQL table involves two primary tables. The first table helps determine the "code letter" based on the lot size and inspection level. This code letter then indicates the sample size and the maximum number of acceptable defects.

Find your sampling plan

Select a lot size, an inspection level, and an AQL to view the matching values in both tables.

Choose a lot size and an inspection level to highlight the matching values in both tables.

Table I – Sample size code letters

Use this table to determine the sample size code letter from your lot or batch size and inspection level.

Lot or Batch Size Normal Inspection Levels Special Inspection Levels
I II III S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4
2 to 8 A A B A A A A
9 to 15 A B C A A A A
16 to 25 B C D A A B B
26 to 50 C D E A B B C
51 to 90 C E F B B C C
91 to 150 D F G B B C D
151 to 280 E G H B C D E
281 to 500 F H J B C D E
501 to 1,200 G J K C C E F
1,201 to 3,200 H K L C D E G
3,201 to 10,000 J L M C D F G
10,001 to 35,000 K M N C D F H
35,001 to 150,000 L N P D E G J
150,001 to 500,000 M P Q D E G J
500,001 and over N Q R D E H K

How to Read This Table?

Sample sizes and acceptance / rejection numbers for code letters A to R, across twelve AQL levels.

Table II – Single sample plans for normal inspection (Master Table)

Use the code letter to find the sample size, then read across to your AQL for the acceptance and rejection numbers.

Sample Size Code Letter Sample Size Acceptable Quality Levels (Normal Inspection)
0.065 0.10 0.15 0.25 0.4 0.65 1.0 1.5 2.5 4.0 6.5 10
Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re
A 2 0 1
B 3 0 1
C 5 0 1 1 2
D 8 0 1 1 2 2 3
E 13 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4
F 20 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6
G 32 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8
H 50 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11
J 80 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15
K 125 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
L 200 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
M 315 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
N 500 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
P 800 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
Q 1250 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
R 2000 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 15 21 22
  • Use the first sampling plan below the arrow. if sample size equals or exceeds lot size, carry out 100% inspection
  • Use the first sampling plan above the arrow
  • Ac Acceptance number
  • Re Rejection number
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our quality standards

Clear answers to common questions about our quality and compliance services

What is AQL Sample Size?
The AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) Sample Size refers to the number of items chosen for inspection in a sampling process. It is determined based on the AQL tables and the total lot size. The sample size will indicate how many units need to be checked to assess the quality of the entire batch.
How to Calculate AQL Sample Size?
The AQL sample size is calculated by referencing the AQL tables that take into account the lot size and inspection level. The sampling size is determined based on a combination of factors such as the desired level of confidence and the acceptable risk of rejecting a good batch. You can use the sample size code and acceptance number from the AQL charts to find the specific number of units to be inspected.
What is the Role of AQL in Quality Control?
AQL plays a critical role in quality control by providing a systematic way of evaluating the quality of a product based on sample inspections. It helps businesses decide whether a batch should be accepted or rejected, ensuring that the products meet a specified quality standard before they are shipped to customers.
Why Do We Use Different Inspection Levels in AQL?
Different inspection levels in AQL, such as General Inspection Level I, II, and III, allow businesses to tailor their inspection process based on the size and importance of the lot. The higher the inspection level, the more units are inspected, which provides a higher confidence level in the results. This flexibility ensures that companies can balance the cost of inspection with the desired level of quality assurance.
What Happens If Defects Exceed the AQL Threshold?
If the number of defects exceeds the acceptable AQL threshold during inspection, the entire lot is typically rejected. This ensures that only products that meet the desired quality standards are accepted and shipped to customers, reducing the risk of quality-related issues post-delivery.
What Are Critical, Major, and Minor Defects in AQL?
In AQL, defects are categorized as critical, major, or minor based on their impact on the product’s functionality and safety:
  • Critical defects: These defects can cause safety hazards or make the product unsafe to use.
  • Major defects: These defects significantly affect the product’s appearance or functionality but do not pose a safety hazard.
  • Minor defects: These are small defects that do not affect the product’s overall usability or safety.

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